A bit less hilly than the old route, especially the last 3kms, although many people thought it was just fine as it was. However, the organisers seemed obsessed with flattening it out a bit for next year.The half on the same day seems a little similar to the original Madrid Half usually run about three weeks earlier, especially the last part.

Will probably sign up for it and, injuries permitting, will be at the start on the 27th April 2014, insha´allah. Bit early I know, but anyone else thinking of signing up for it?

Hi Neil. Yep, I'm signed up for the Marathon next year and my wife is doing the half marathon. It'll be our first time in Madrid so hopefully a good way of seeing part of the city, and the Rock N Roll races are always fun.

29 years after running my only marathon and after another failed attempt to obtain a London place, I too have submitted an entry. Madrid is a fantastic city and the thought of revisiting all the sights in this unique way really excites me. Hopefully I will feel the same on April 27th!

I have read that it is very hilly, not sure how much the new route improves this. Any ideas as to the likely temperature at the end of April?

Bob, was the first marathon you ran 29 years ago also in Madrid? The new route is a bit less hilly although not exactly flat either. Weather could be anything. I did the half on the same day last year and it was slighlty chilly both at the start and watching the marathon finishers after my race was over. I also remember doing a 10k in May here a couple of years ago and that was a bit sharp also with a hail storm about 30 minutes after I finished. On the other hand, it could be quite warm, so be prepared for anything is the best advice I can give!

Nothe, IMHO it's a great city and you should have a really good time. The last three kms of your wife's half will be quite testing.

It's a long way off but good luck with the training. I'm now signed up and committed. Hope we all make it to the start on April 27th. Best of luck to you both and if you want to post some training updates on here that'd be great.

Thanks Neil, no I did Paris in 1985 - that route has changed considerably since. Yes I noticed in the photos of last years race how many had long sleeve tops and trousers etc. I am really excited about the prospect as I share your love of the city. Did the half follow the same start as the marathon? The first few miles looks like a steady climb - up towards the Bernabeau stadium, but from my recollection of a visit I dont think it was too steep. The comments that I have seen mention the toughest part of the course being the section through Casa de Campo - not because of hills but due to it coming at around wall hitting stage and also because the crowds are quite sparse there.

Hi Bob. Last year the half followed the same start as the marathon and separated at kilometre 15 or 16. This year it will splinter off at about 13.5kms. I remember the half becoming very lonely last year once it had left the full marathon route.

Yes, the first 5 or 6 kms are a steady incline but not too taxing. The same between km 15 & 16. Km 21 to 22 will be a sharper climb, as will the section just before km 34 and most of the last part will be on the up, although not quite as demanding as in previous years. By the looks of things, there's less running in Casa de Campo now.

Going back to the weather, it could just as easily be in the early to mid 20s but let's hope it's a little on the sharp side and dry!

Finally, a poster called Perezoso had an ongoing thread about his preparation for this race last year as well as his account of the race itself. It's called The Iberian Odyssey.

thanks Neil, I'll take a look at that. Had my first run on the road yesterday following a quite bad ankle sprain. Had run on the treadmill a couple of times and all was fine. However, after a mile on the road it was starting to get quite sore and i could detect a limp. So I stopped and came back to the treadmill where I did 3 miles with no problems. I think I'll give it another couple of weeks before trying the road again.

Sorry to hear that Bob.Curious that you were able to get back on the treadmill with no problems. Have you thought about running on grass / earth before going back to running on the road, or at least mixing it up? Hope it just needs a little more time to heal and nothing worse.

I think its just that the treadmill has a little more give than the hard road surface. Hopefully a couple more weeks will see it ok. Never really had to contend with injuries in over 30 years of running. Even more annoying is that I incurred it by faling off a ladder in the garden!

What sort of time will you be aiming for in April, assuming you have a good winters training? From your encouraging half marathon times I would imagine you would be looking at somewhere around 3.30?

Hi Nothe. I also enjoyed the Perezoso post. Did you click on the link showing last years route? Although I enjoyed seeing some of the sights we will pass, it really did look an awful long way when viewed like that! Will you be training with your wife? That must be quite motivating, particularly when the dark nights and longer runs become a necessity. Do you have any target time in mind?

Hi Nothe and Bob. Glad you both enjoyed Perezoso's thread from earlier this year. Never ran with him in the end Bob. Think we both had stuff on and then I was working away all summer. If I remember correctly, he also had a couple of injuries post marathon but hope he's ok now. Not sure if he still reads this forum or if he's going to repeat in 2014 but hopefully he's still around.

It's a bugger about your injury, sod's law that, falling off a ladder. Sounds like you're being sensible about not rushing back too quickly. One thing I would say, is that I was running on a treadmill most of the summer and when I started going outdoors again more regularly I seemed to get a few niggles and pains which then went away, touch wood. My situation is obviously different from your's but thought I'd mention it.

As for a target time, it's my first marathon so I have to trot out the old "will be happy to get round" line, which is true to a point. However, you're right, 3:30ish is what I've got in mind providing I get a good winter's training in. I'm going to do three 10k races between now and Christmas (starting on the 29th October and culminating in the Aranjuez 10K 22nd December, which is a cracking race) but follow a half marathon schedule before starting a full marathon program straight after Christmas. One thing I want to do is get my weight down. Was running off about 85kilos last spring but would like to get that down to 78 / 80kilos for the marathon. Have lost a lot of weight over the last five years but it's plateaued off a bit this year.

What times are you guys looking at? Have you decided on a training plan to follow?

Nothe, don't get too hung up about the hills mate. Yes, it's a hilly, undulating course but modified for this year and not like some races you hear about in places like Switzerland or Scotland. I think the last 3kms of the half (which used to be in the full course) is quite tough going however, so get your wife out on the hills with you.

It's a long way off still but if you've got any general questions about Madrid, feel free to ask.

Hi Neil, my sensible approach didnt last long, I tend to not be very good at sensible, and my curiosity got the better of me this morning. Jogged down to the local park did a few laps on grass and then jogged back on the road. Felt a lot better than it did on Sunday. I think its just a case of building up the strength again in the damaged ligaments. Similar to you I will follow a half marathon programme up to December. My Hereford New Year day 10k doesnt sound half as appealing as your Aranjuez 10. Have found quite a good intermediate scedule on 'Walk, Jog, Run', which includes quite a bit of cross training. I think that will help my 57 year old legs recover better when the mileage really steps up.

As for time - I did a really hilly 10 mile race in 87 mins a few weeks ago - hadnt done a great desl of training. With a really good winter training I would hope to do 3 hours for the first 20 miles and then who knows! 10 minute miling over the last 6 would get me close to 4 hours - i would be very pleased with that!

Bob, yep I watched the course video. It's brilliantly well done, and the course looks gorgeous. I know it'll be a bit different next year but plenty to see while we're slogging our way round so it should be good.

I'll be doing a good amount of training with my wife so it'll help certainly I'm currently training for the Dopey at DisneyWorld in January so lots of running in the cold and dark, and lots of back-to-back long runs!

Neil, I'm not too worried about the hills especially having watched the video. I've done the Loch Ness marathon a couple of times and that's got similar hills in it so I know what to expect.

I'm not sure what time I'm aiming at yet. With some good winter training behind me I hope to be able to beat my PB at least (3:58). I'll see how it goes at Disney and make plans from there on

Hi Bob, glad your run on mixed terrain went better yesterday morning. Reckon you are right about building up the strength again. Also think the cross-training is a good idea. I use an exercise bike either once or twice a week in addition to three or four weekly runs. I think having that training split helps the joints and running muscles recover, although I'd really like to be regularly running five times a week, if not six but I have a few niggles to manage.

Your Hereford 10k sounds alright to me, nice part of the world if I remember well. I've got my first race of the season a week on Sunday, a 10k. Not expecting a great time as in training I seem to be a bit behind where I was last spring and it's a pretty hilly course as well. Still, it'll be good to do a race again and get a recent race time to base training on.

Nothe, sounds like you've already got a few marathons under your belt so any tips over the coming months will be gratefully received. If all goes well this winter you could well be on for a good PB come Madrid in April with all that mileage. DisneyWorld in January will be a nice escape from winter (I'm assuming it's the one in Florida!). Good luck with the training.

I hope so I've only been running for a couple of years so my advice won't be that good! I've done 4 marathons so far, but by Madrid time I should have done another 2, possibly 3. The bug bit me deep!

Yeah, it's the Florida one. Really looking forward to it. 5k on Thurs, 10k on Fri, 1/2 mara on Sat and Mara on Sun. Not surprisingly I won't be going for a PB in any of those races....trying to survive is the plan so far!

Good luck with the 10k Neil, and be careful with the road to recovery Bob!

Wow Nothe! That will be some achievement - particularly the Sat/sun. You really have got the bug.

Yes Neil, Herefordshire is quite pleasant. One of our few claims to fame is the Hay Festival. The Spanish equivalent was held in Segovia last month - I hope to visit that one year as I believe Segovia is a beautiful place? There seem to be quite a few events for you to enter Neil. Organized racing is obviously very popular out there?

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